John Beck will play Saturday, Case Keenum to get action at home

Gary Kubiak said he’ll play veteran quarterback John Beck ahead of Case Keenum in the fourth quarter at Carolina Saturday night, then likely let Keenum finish the home game the following week against San Francisco.

Matt Schaub and the other “ones” – starters – will play 12 to 15 plays against the Panthers while the backups, led by T. J. Yates, will go a quarter and a half, leaving the rest of snaps to Beck and possibly Keenum.

Going with Beck first in the opener shows proper deference to the veteran but also lets Keenum play in front of the Reliant Stadium crowd, which will jazz up the fourth quarter of an otherwise humdrum exhibition.

Kubiak had more praise for Keenum Thursday while suggesting that Beck needs to lift his game.

“(Keenum) has made tremendous progress,” he said. “Football is really important to him. He has really responded to his opportunity here in Houston. We’re all excited to see him play.”

As for Beck, he said: “He’s a veteran player playing in a system he should be comfortable with. I think he could be doing better than he is right and I’d tell him the same thing. But now it’s time to go play and see. He’s gotten a ton of reps. I told him he’s here to compete with T. J. and Case and he’s doing that. But I think there’s another level for him to reach.”

Fox likely done for the season
Inside linebacker Keyaron Fox will apparently need surgery to repair the damage he did to his left knee when, according to Gary Kubiak, “got rolled up” during practice Wednesday. The operation hasn’t been scheduled yet, but Fox will likely spend the season on injured reserve.

The Texans signed the nine-year veteran during the off-season. He spent last season with Washington after playing for Kansas City and Pittsburgh. He won a Super Bowl ring with the Steelers.

The Texans are trying to sign another linebacker before next week because Kubiak is concerned about the Texans’ “training camp depth. (General manager) Rick (Smith) was working on that this morning, but I don’t want to say who we’re talking to.”

Cushing out of hospital
Speaking of linebackers, Brian Cushing was released from the hospital Thursday morning after being hit with a virus Tuesday night and might make an appearance at the light afternoon practice, Gary Kubiak said “As long as he’s feeling well, he’ll go through the morning “jog through” Friday before the team flies to Charlotte.

“He’s doing better,” Kubiak said.

O. D., Cody take a break
Neither tight end Owen Daniels nor nose tackle Shaun Cody worked Thursday morning as Kubiak continues resting them every fourth day to take care of their knees.

“(Trainer Geoff Kaplan) thinks that’s best for them,” Kubiak said. “That’s the reason we did it.”

Walter aging gracefully
No matter how hot it has been, receiver Kevin Walter has practiced every day in full leggings because, although they might be a tad uncomfortable in August, he believes they reduce the risk of muscle pulls. It’s an example of Walter’s dogged attention to detail, explaining why the 10-year veteran still has a bounce in his step at training camp.

“I try to stay consistent,” Walter said after practice. “People think football is a six-months-a-year job. But I stay in shape and watch what I eat year around. Taking care of my body is an obsession. I’m going to go in right now and do that for the next two hours so I’m ready for the next practice.

“When you go home you can’t just sit on the couch and eat potato chips. I’ve got a hyperbaric chamber, and I’m going to go sit in their and get my body fresh. Your body is your work. If you’re not doing the right things out here, you’re not going to be here long.”

Walter also suggested his young backups have had a refreshing influence on him.

“This is going to be a fun year,” he said. “I like these young guys. I’m glad to be a part of the group. They’re very talented. We’re going to get the job done.”